DHTG #2

I know no picture is lame but it's hard to take them when you leave both of your cameras by the door. Anyway this Sunday will be the second Dirty Half Training Group run. This one is going to be 9ish miles and will take off at 8am. For those who have never been this is a great way to get a long run in with lots of potential running partners. Last week we had around 100 runners varying in paces from quite speedy to slow and steady. To get to the run head west on Skyliners road and about 3/4 of a mile past Summit High take a left on the beat up forest service road to Phil's trail head. Don't park in the trailhead parking lot as we will be leaving from the big dirt area just below the official parking area. Just keep on the road through the gate and park in the field to your right. Get there a little early to sign in and get the pre run info. Please leave your four legged friends at home.
Any questions email superdave at superdave@footzonebend.com or call the zone at 317-3568.

See you Sunday!
dave

Trail Work w/FZ and COTA

Thank You, Thank You to the 18 folks who came out for trail work on Saturday. We were fortunate to be tucked out of the wind under the cliff band across Century Drive from the Entrada Lodge**. It was a fun crew and I think everybody had a great time digging in the dirt, moving rocks, trying to fit them together. It was certainly fun to drink a beer after and learn a little about everyone. Thanks to Woody, Paul and Chris from COTA for leading us. Tentatively, the next FootZone/ COTA work party will be Thursday evening, May 21st at 5:30 pm. Don't miss out! Cheers-Teague

**Entrada Lodge- have you ever met anyone who's stayed there? It looks like a perfectly fine place but there's never anyone there! How many times have you run/driven past that place with an empty parking lot. What's the deal? Is is sinister, rodent infested, or just a hidden gem? Great access to the trails, the mountains, the start of the Dirty Half. Maybe someone in the know reads this and can educate me.

Larkspur Lollipop

The first running of the Larkspur Lollipop ended up being a great event for all. Laura Fritz was a trooper in her first go at race directing. This was Laura and my brainchild and I can't deny that we we're completely unsure of what to expect in the weeks leading up to the event. Would anyone show up to do this crazy 10K that included a climb up Pilot Butte? Would kids rally for a 1.2 miler? The numbers weren't overwhelming, but we're happy to have 80 finishers in the 10K and more than 40 in the kids run. By the time it was over, we could tell from all the smiles that this will stick.

First of all, the kids run was better than we could have expected. We scheduled it 15 minutes in front of the 10k in hopes that the kids would have the adults there to cheer them on. The kids did 2 loops through Larkspur Park at the Senior Center so we got a couple opportunities to see some youngsters running strong. Every kid received a huge lollipop from Goody's as they crossed the finish line and everyone seemed to agree that the kid's event was something special. The 10K was tough but the kind of challenge that seemed to have folks smirking a bit (after they caught their breath). The weather was perfect and the novelty of the Butte in the middle gave everyone something to talk about. If you were there, you'll always be able to say you were at the first running. If you missed it, start getting ready for next year. Cheers-Teague

Awesome Weekend!

Awesome is my 5 yr old's favorite word right now and seemed appropriate. The weekend started big on Friday with the arrival of Jenny's little boy, Owen Sawyer. Saturday brought the first inaugural Larkspur Lollipop 1.2mile kids run and 10k in the morning and a trail work party with FootZone and Cota in the afternoon. This morning was the capper with about 100 folks turning out for the first Dirty Half training run. Thanks to all who contributed to an active weekend. Cheers-Teague

New Baby!

Jenny had her baby! It's a little boy and his name is Owen. Sounds like everyone's doing well. Congratulations to Jenny and Shane. Cheers-Teague

Time to get in shape? If so this Sunday will be the first installment of the Footzone Dirty Half Training group so if you need some extra motivation or just want to do a longish run with some folks meet at the dirt parking area below Phil's Trailhead this Sunday at 8am. The trail will be marked and the cost to you is nothing except time and energy. For those of you who have never been to one it is a pretty big group so please leave the four legged friends home. We will do our best to leave right at 8 so get there 10-15 minutes early to sign in and get the pre run briefing.

If anyone is interested in helping us get organized show up 15 minutes early and I can put you to work. Any questions about this or the run itself email me at superdave@footzonebend.com

See you Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

dave

Warm Tuesday Performance Group???

Finally, a warm Tuesday evening and the TPG took full advantage. We we're just shy of 40 out there to run ladders at the Cascade Middle school track. Some new faces and lots of folks putting in great efforts and getting a little faster. I can't count how many said they would never have motivated to do this workout on their own. Thanks for coming out-Cheers-Teague

Some Boston Results

Well my first contact from a Boston finisher was an email from Ryan Altman and he sounded like he had a great experience. Like many a Boston Marathon, not quite the time he was thinking of, but great nonetheless. Jeanine Faria seemed to have a strong Marathon. I can't wait to hear how she feels about it. Tim and Dru Carpenter may have had diametrically opposed experiences in their marathons. Dru seemed to tough it out and finish a hard day (I'm guessing there's more to that story) and Tim looks like everything was clicking. At the FZ today, we we're a little astounded as Tonya ran a 3:43 and change. We know that Tonya's more than capable, but she was just so broken before she left. We really thought she was just going to go jog it and soak up the experience but instead she busted it out and seems to have run her last 5k as fast as her first 5k. Congrats Tonya, now get ready for a nice break. Speedy recoveries to all and looking forward to hearing the stories.

Cheers-Teague

Boston Marathon

They're running as I write this. There's a really cool way to see how your friends are doing. Go to http://www.bostonmarathon.org/ and you can track individual athletes. We're following Tonya Littlehales (from FZ), Ryan Altman, Jeanine Faria, and Tim and Dru Carpenter (you can follow five). Good luck to all of them. They're looking great.

Cheers-Teague

2009 Dirty Half Full!

As of today 4-18-09 the Footzone Dirty Half is Full! For those who didn't get in there is only one way and that is to transfer an existing entry from someone who can't make it to the race. They must be in by June 5th and have to be done through Dave via email superdave@footzonebend.com . So for those of you who got a spot is definitely time to start training. To help you with this the FZ has training groups starting next Sunday at the big dirt parking area below Phil's Trailhead. Runs start at 8:00 am and this one will be a seven miler. For a full schedule check out the zone website http://www.footzonebend.com/

Peace out,
dave

First Night of Learn to Run

Last night brought out some sunshine, 2 leaders, 11 assistants and 120+ participants for the first night of Learn to Run. We're so excited about the turnout for this program. It's great to see so many folks out their learning and motivating each other. There was lots of smiles, laughter and enthusiasm to be had. It was Connie's B-day so she got to wear the tiara. I'm already looking forward to next week. Cheers-Teague

TPG- biting wind edition

I'd like to say this was the last cold week for the Tuesday Performance Group but only time will tell. As you see in the pic it didn't keep folks away from some great tempo work in Drake Park. Fun to hear a little about Max's epic last several weeks. He had that great race in Jordan (yes the country) at XC Worlds. Followed that up a week later with a win at the American River 50 miler and then one week later came within seconds of his course record while winning Pear Blossom. It's funny because he looks so human but I'm really starting to wonder. Nice work Max. You deserve a few weeks off. Cheers-Teague

Crunch Time

If you haven't signed up for the Footzone Dirty Half and want to participate you should motivate ASAP! As of this blog we have 40 spots left for the 2009 race. To sign up go to the Footzone and fill out a form. You can also print a form from the website http://dirtyhalf.footzonebend.com/ and send it in. Once we reach 800 it's over no waiting list so don't miss it.

dave

Big Night at the Zone

After 14 years, I often learn from, am entertained by, or pleased with something that happens at the FootZone. But almost never am I completely bowled over like I was last night at the shop. First, at 5:30 was the info meeting for the Learn to Run program (see pic). The turnout was overwhelming and subsequent registration (at 95 people now) has Connie, Allison, myself and the rest of the LTR helpers completely energized.

Second, at 6:30 was the latest rendition of Girls Night Out where more than 100 women turned out to do what they do (I wasn't invited so I can't really comment). Jenny organized this wonderfully successful affair once again despite being two weeks from her due date. With the help of Colleen, Melanie, Nancy, Tonya, Kristen, Jill, Melissa and Tami (my bride) it sounds like it was a hit. I'd be hard pressed to argue considering the 100 dirty wine glasses I returned to Tabletops this morning. This event happens a couple times a year so look for the next one. Cheers-Teague

Shoes for Soles for Souls

Here's Luke Hinz with 52 pairs of shoes he collected in a community project for Soles for Souls. Thanks Luke.

What a Weekend

As if the turn in the weather weren't enough, there was lot's of great things happening in the world of Central Oregon running over the weekend. For starters, USAFITBEND, got the season started with their first round of sign-ups. Tonya from the FZ and her husband Geof are leading things this year and they had a huge turnout. You can sign up next weekend as well.

Sunday was the Peterson Ridge Rumble 30k and 60k. Here's the results There are so many great local finishes in this one so check it out. Andy Martin's run was pretty impressive in his first ever ultra. Nice work, Andy (side note, there's a good Andy interview at the end of the Horse Butte Video from the last post). Chad Sage and Renee Scott (both mainstays at the Tuesday Performance Group) rocked the 30k course. Dan Harshburger ran the 60k despite having the flu all week and Barb Ringstad managed to run the whole thing even though she said she was going to drop after 15. Jeff Browning ran fast only a few weeks removed from a bum knee and lots of water running. Colleen down here at the shop had a great run and somehow managed to not only survive all 34 miles but then came in and worked a 9 hour shift today at the FZ. She's a gamer. Kudos to Sean for putting this great event on. He puts lots of heart into this run and it always shows. It's been fun to watch it grow and we're lucky to have it so close to home.

Saturday was the American River 50 Miler down South and Max King and Kami Semick took top honors in that race. The results are here. I don't know what to say, so I'll just say wow. Some fast one's in this town. That was Max's first 50 miler (I'm pretty sure). Congratulations to both.

So, in summary: a beautiful weekend, beginning of BendFIT, and some really long runs (super fast for some, slower for others, hopefully fun for all). And, lest all you runners forget, today was opening day (of the baseball season). Mariners won! Hope Springs eternal. Cheers-Teague

Horse Butte Video

Click for a fun Horse Butte 10 Miler video courtesy of Chris down here at the FootZone.

Blustery but Active Week

The unsettled weather didn't hinder the fun at all the FZ activities this week.

Monday night brought 18 out for the Women's Running Group. Jenny's about to give birth to her first child (due in two weeks) but still put in a few miles. She's the energy that's made this such a great group for so many years. Email her jenny@footzonebend.com for details.

Tuesday night there were more than two dozen taking part in a blustery 2 mile time trial for the Tuesday Performance Group. It was challenging but great to be out there with everyone and setting that baseline to see if we improve over the months ahead. If you haven't already, you really should check out this group. I really look forward to it every week and I'm not alone. The group keeps growing in numbers and paces so come try it out. Kudos to Max for his efforts and willingness to share his knowledge (if not his speed). Max had a big week last week travelling to Annan, Jordan for XC Worlds. He had a great race coming in as 3rd American and 40th overall. Check out his website for the details http://www.runnerspace.com/maximus Yes, it is a little hard to believe that this is the same nice, humble guy who will craft a workout for the group and cheer you on every Tuesday Night. Its free, all you have to do is send Max your email and he'll email each week with the details mking@reboundspl.com

Wednesdays noon run is also booming a bit. This is never huge but 16 rallied yesterday for a lunchtime run and several enjoyed the Taco Stand waiting for them at the FZ when they got back. If it works in your schedule it always feels good to sneak a great run into the middle of your day. This one leaves from the FZ Wednesdays at noon. We all start out together and then it splits up with options of between 3 and 7 miles depending on what works for you.

Last but not least, the Functional Fitness workout had 15 on hand tonight. We did a "dirty dozen" workout that pleasantly kicked our butts just like every week. Kyle's good at making you hurt with a friendly smile on his face. He'll be hosting the Thursday workout at his studio on April 16th. Its over in NW Crossing just to SouthEast of that new Summit High Track. Check out their website for a map http://www.willraceperformance.com/ This is one of those workouts that we all know we should do but usually don't. Believe me, I can relate, but it's tough to stay injury free if you only run (or bike, or ski). It's only $5 and you just might like it!

So, lots of great things to take advantage of. You'll see several of us FootZoners at all of them. We hope there's a little something for everyone to enjoy. Cheers-Teague